Piping tightness tests for American-style suction piping must be conducted every how many years?

• A. Every year
• B. Every two years
• C. Every three years
• D. Every five years

Answer: (C)

Maintaining a sealed suction system is about preventing leaks that would compromise vacuum, efficiency, and safety. For American-style suction piping, a tightness test is required every three years. This interval balances catching gradual degradation with keeping downtime and testing costs reasonable—the idea is to detect leaks before they affect performance, while not testing so often that it becomes impractical. The test typically checks that the piping can hold the test pressure (or vacuum) without significant loss; any leakage found is repaired to restore integrity. Shorter intervals would add unnecessary downtime, while longer ones could let small leaks develop into bigger problems.